Field Hockey Canada announces Junior Men’s National Team Roster

18 Men selected for the Junior Pan American Championships in Barbados

Field Hockey Canada is thrilled to announce the 18-athlete Junior Men’s National Team that will attend the Junior Pan American Championships in Barbados, from April 10 – 18, 2023.

The team was chosen from the winter selection camp attendees. 32 athletes from four provinces gathered in Greater Vancouver from December 27-30, for fitness testing, training, and competitive matches.

Winter Selection Camp. Photos/Graeme Ross [Full album]

Junior Men’s Head coach Geoff Matthews said that the competition level and core technical skills at camp was inspiring even though this crop of athletes are relatively young compared to previous cycles.

“This is an exciting group of athletes,” Matthews said. “The athletic ability of the squad will allow us to play and exciting ‘forward’ brand of hockey that mirrors that of the more senior Men’s National Team.”

The selected team includes majority first-time Junior National Team members. Returners Jyoth Sidhu and Alex Bird, who have recent senior Men’s National Team experience, will be counted on to lead both on and off the field. Maan Sidhu and Julius DeSouza are two others with Junior World Cup experience. British Columbia, Alberta, Quebec and Ontario all have representation on this team, making it a true cross-country national team.

Matthews said this is an ambitious bunch who expects to play a quality brand of hockey and advance into the championship bracket.

“We are going to play an exciting style of hockey that gives us the best opportunity to win every game,” Matthews said. “It will be challenging and we will need to be at our best for each game to do that. Being successful, and winning a medal at JPAC, will allow us to qualify for the Junior World Cup in Malaysia in Nov / Dec. That is our ultimate goal.

Between now and April, the team will train in their regional hubs, before centralizing in Vancouver for three weeks before the competition. Stay tuned to the Field Hockey Canada website and social media for more information about the Junior Men’s National Team and their journey to Barbados. Schedule will be posted in the coming months.

Junior Pan American Championship Roster